Blackheath Public School is providing hands-in-the-dirt lessons on how the students can make their school more sustainable. Students will soon be eating spinach and cheese scrolls made by the canteen using garden produce.
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Latest from around the region
The Story of Asset Management: Coming up at the Planetary Health Precinct 10am-12noon Tuesday 23 April
As we work at recovering from yet another extreme weather event the question many of us are asking is how do we ensure fit-for-purpose infrastructure in a world that is changing in many ways? This month it is 40 years since Dr Penny Burns developed the engineering-economics hybrid we now know as Asset Management. From 1994 to 2014 her newsletter ‘Strategic Asset Management’ became a beacon in the industry. In 2016 Penny set up Talking Infrastructure with Jeff Roorda, now Director of Infrastructure & Project Delivery Service at @bluemountainscitycouncil to look to the future of Asset Management. Join them for a discussion at the Planetary Health Precinct. They`ll discuss the need for a shift from grey to blue and green assets and address the critical question: we can afford to buy it, but can we afford to keep it?
Join us for this very important discussion. This event is free but bookings essential (link in profile):
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/talking-infrastructure-40th-anniversary-tour-of-australia-and-new-zealand-tickets-875789759747
#infrastructure #greeninfrastructure #assetmanagement #pennyburns #disasterriskreduction #disasterrecovery #fitforthefutureinfrastructure #newparadigms #planetaryhealth #symbiocene
The Rural Clinical School of the The University of Notre Dame in Lithgow, together with the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative, have been introducing first year medical students to rural medicine, Aboriginal Health and Planetary Health. When given hands-on experience in using a thermal imaging camera they were very surprised to see the difference between the temperature of the deep shade under a tree and the temperature of pavers in full sun was 30C!
Read more in Lithgow Area Local News (link in profile):
https://lithgowlocalnews.com/introducing-medical-students-to-planetary-health/
#firstyearmedical #futuredoctors #ruralhealth #aboriginalhealth #planetaryhealth #heatwaves
#heatislandeffect #thermalimaging
For an entire year over COVID lockdowns, Merryl Watkins posted a new bird photo on social media every day. The Blaxland resident wanted to remind people there was still beauty in the world and joy to be found if you stop, look and listen. Her photography obsession captured imaginations both in the Blue Mountains and overseas, raising awareness of endangered wildlife and treating audiences to the fun antics of our feathered friends. Read more in Lower Mountains Local News (link in profile): https://lowermtnslocalnews.com/merryl-watkins/ @merrylwatkinsphotography #birdsofthebluemountains #birdsofaustralia #birdphotographyaustralia #biodiversity #planetaryhealth #blaxland #bluemountains #beauty #resilience #hope
This week we welcome guest writer Camille Walsh with an inspiring story about Sal Isaksen and how she`s helping shift our attitude to one of the most polluting industries in the world: fashion. Read more in Katoomba Area Local News (link in profile):
https://www.katoombalocalnews.com/sal-on-katoomba/
@_sal_on
#fashion #prelovedfashion #culturalshift #katoomba #bluemountains #sustainablefashion #upcycling #planetaryhealth #togetherwecan #abetterway
Mel Michael is the newish owner of the Blackheath Vegie Patch. She spoke to Hamish Dunlop about making lemonade from local lemons, a philosophy of abundance, and how businesses can help make communities more resilient. Read more in Blackheath Area Local News (link in profile):
https://blackheathnews.com/the-vegie-patch/
@blackheathvegiepatchmarket
#blackheath #bluemountains #vegies #veggies #localbusinesses #supportlocal #community #planetaryhealth #resilience #togetherwecan #collaboration #seedlings #supportinglocalgrowers
Join us for an evening of art, poetry and sushi in the Planetary Health exhibition space at 33-39 Acacia St Katoomba (former Katoomba Golf Clubhouse, lower level) this Thursday 11 April at 6pm. The event is free but bookings essential at Time of Fire Performance by Harry Laing (link in profile)
Artworks by Scott Marr, Leanne Tobin, Wendy Tsai, Saskia Everingham and others ...
#poetry #art #sushi #katoomba #bluemountains #planetaryhealth #katoomba #community
Do you baulk at killing garden pests? Chris McDonald, Principal Gardener at the Brahma Kumaris Retreat Centre, Leura, shares tips for keeping the pests at bay without killing anything, harming the environment or ourselves. Read more in Katoomba Area Local News (link in profile):
https://www.katoombalocalnews.com/eco-friendly-pest-control/
@brahmakumaris @bk_leura #ecofriendlypestcontrol #nokillgardening #planetaryhealth #ecosystemhealth #humanhealth #integratedpestmanagement #pestcontrol
Sun Valley residents, the Sidarous family, have opened their home and hearts to many creatures great and small, who might otherwise have struggled to find appropriate and loving care. Read more in Springwood Area Local News (link in profile):
https://springwoodlocalnews.com/sun-valley-safe-haven/
#animalrescue #safehaven #sanctuary #sunvalley #wearenature #planetaryhealth #bluemountains #rspcakatoomba #rspca #togetherwecan
Such a fabulous day today for the launch of Blackheath’s newest public artwork, "Reveal: A Celebration of Blue Mountains Orchids" by Joel Mitchell. We loved seeing the beautiful watercolours of local orchids being painted at our stall and had many inspiring conversations with community members passionate about protecting our orchids! #nativeorchids #bluemountainsorchids #planetaryhealth #healthyecosystems #healthyecosystemshealthylives #publicart #watercolours
When we go through long periods of rain, cloud or bushfire smoke, solar panels struggle to provide all the power we need. For the last 25 years Lithgow Hospital hasn`t just relied on its many solar panels. When the hospital was built pipes were drilled to a depth of 110m under the hospital`s car park to provide geothermal ground source heat pump heating and cooling for the hospital! Our visiting Belgian doctor Louis Wauters discusses how Lithgow has been leading the way with a technology that is widely accepted in Europe and has great potential for the future.
https://lithgowlocalnews.com/louis-wauters/
@nswreconstructionauthority @wentworthhealthcare @nepeanbluemountains
#geothermal #geothermalenergy #groundsourceheatpumps #lithgow #lithgowhospital #planetaryhealth
Did you know that orchids and fungi have a symbiotic relationship? So much so, that orchids can’t germinate without fungi and when they’re fully grown they often provide fungi with carbon in return for nitrogen and phosphorus. This Saturday 6 April, from 12-3pm, the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative will be at a very special event in Blackheath: All About Orchids! Come and learn lots more about our many native orchids. You’ll be able to pick a print of a local orchid and watercolour it at our table, and there will be a wide range of family friendly events including games for kids, live music by Bonnie Doon, honey tasting and talks by orchid experts and artist Joel Mitchell, who has created Blackheath’s latest public artwork. It features multiple orchid inspired structures that will illuminate at night and are a celebration of the Blue Mountains as one of the most ecologically and botanically diverse regions on Australia’s east coast. The event will be at the Bates Hall in Blackheath. #orchids #nativeorchids #bluemountains #blackheath #planetaryhealth #symbiotic #fungi #familyday @joelmitchell.artist @bonniedoonmusic
Put bushfire and a poet together and you get an electrifying, rare, poetic insight into the drama of fire and its aftermath. At 6pm on Thursday 11 April we`re thrilled to be hosting `Time of Fire`: our first poetry performance in the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative exhibition space by Southern Highlands poet Harry Laing. Harry’s performance is not only a dramatic account of the ferocity of the fire, but also a witnessing of the regenerative power of the forest and the depth of connection in the Braidwood Community and people’s care for each other at such a threatening time. It`s an opportunity to connect across the country about how to go forward living in a `time of fire`. The event is free but booking essential (link in profile): https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/time-of-fire-performance-by-harry-laing-tickets-868048766227?
#poetrylovers #communicatingcomplexemotions #communicatingcomplexity #communicating #creativetransformation #bushfire #timeoffire #braidwood #southernhighlands #bluemountains #planetaryhealth #katoomba #connection #resilience #regeneration
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The Walking Weeder: Marianne Bate and the Grose River Catchment
Marianne Bate is passionate about the bush, fascinated by people and ‘relentlessly positive’ about how we can better care for the land we live on. Meet Marianne, and discover the difference Bushcare and Landcare make to people and places in this piece by Hamish Dunlop.
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For the love of kangaroos
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Cool Mountains – Your Guide to Beating the Heat in Blackheath & Surrounds
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April Local News
Check out all the April events in the Blackheath Area: from Medlow to Mount Tomah.
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Incredible Edible Blackheath
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March Local News
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The Lyrebird Festival: The Music of Life in the Megalong
The Lyrebird Festival in the Megalong Valley runs between the 23rd and 26th of November 2023. Immersive multimedia experiences, deep listening, conscious eating and art help to reimagine our place in the interconnected web of life.
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Birds, Bees, Butterflies and Bats: Supporting Pollinators for Planetary Health
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Counting Creatures to Recover: the Power of Citizen Science to Create Communities
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Growing Community at the Blackheath Vegie Patch
Mel Michael is the newish owner of the Blackheath Vegie Patch. We talk about making lemonade from local lemons, a philosophy of abundance, and how businesses can make communities more resilient.
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Fire Resistant and Fabulous: An Off-Grid Home in the Megalong Valley
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Recreating the Social Benefits of a Corner Store in South Blackheath
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New Water Play Area and Rejuvenated Pond Opens at Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park
Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park has had a fabulous upgrade with a new water play feature, landscaping and improvements to the duck & turtle pond. Take a tour here.
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September Local News
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August Local News – From Medlow to Mount Tomah
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Sustainability at School: Lessons in The Cycles of Life
Blackheath Public School is providing hands-in-the-dirt lessons on how the students can make their school more sustainable. Students will soon be eating spinach and cheese scrolls made by the canteen using garden produce.
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Learning as Resilience: Chris Tobin on History, Country and the Power of Different Perspectives
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Reconnecting the Seven Sisters Songlines from Uluru to the East Coast of Australia
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‘Somewhere to Live’: Singing the Song of Homelessness
Hamish Dunlop attended the launch of ‘Somewhere to Live’, a song written and performed by The Blue Gums, Voices for Social Change. The song and accompanying video aim to raise awareness about the impacts of homelessness and housing insecurity in the Blue Mountains and across the Greater Sydney region.
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Reconnecting the Seven Sisters Songlines from Uluru to the East Coast of Australia
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Swamp Diaries: A Weedy Bunyip & the Water We Drink
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Rooves, Tanks & Rain Gardens: Things We Can Do at Home to Save Water and Help the Environment
Planetary Health Initiative writer Hamish Dunlop talks to Amy St Lawrence from Blue Mountains City Council’s Healthy Waterways Team. Amy explains what she’s doing at her home to collect and use water. She also talks about how her rain garden reduces run-off during and after rainfall.
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Govetts Leap Catchment Group: Collaborating to Protect our Wilderness from Weeds
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Blue Mountains achieves global standard in Ecotourism